Health benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon contains a variety of nutrients. Here are some of the top health benefits of watermelon.

Watermelon is mostly water. And so it can serve as a good choice for daily water intake and helping digestion.

It is also relatively low in calories and so can help with weight management by keeping you feeling full for longer.

Plus, it boasts antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, lycopene and cucurbitacin E, all of which are beneficial for your health. These compounds help combat free radicals and may have anti-cancer effects. For example, cucurbitacin E inhibits tumor growth by promoting the body’s process of destroying and removing cancer cells.

Lycopene intake is also associated with a lower risk of some types of cancer, such as prostate and colorectal cancers due to lowering blood levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a hormone that promotes cell division.

lycopene can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, both key in cardiovascular health.

As an antioxidant, lycopene delays the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and helps prevent and inhibit AMD (Age-related macular degeneration, a common eye problem that can cause blindness in older adults). A study that treated eye cells with lycopene found that it decreased the capacity of inflammatory markers to damage cells.

Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body and help the blood vessels expand to lower blood pressure.

Citrulline also has benefits that include improving exercise performance and reducing muscle soreness.

The fruit contains a natural pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin, which may protect your joints from inflammation which may help protect you from developing conditions such as osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis.  

Other vitamins and minerals in watermelon include magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, and C — all of which are healthy and can help your heart and overall health. In addition, vitamins A and C are important for skin health.